Jewellery Making Dilemma: To give up or not?

I think ifyou enjoy it so much you shouldn't give up on it yet. See if you can find other ways of selling it, or change some designs, perhaps make some more expensive or cheaper items to attract different people. Maybe start making for children instead.

I know exactly how you feel! I also sell my crafts to support the "habit" so to speak. I used to make jelewry too but it wasn't selling, and I wasn't enjoying it. So I switched to knitting, which I like doing more (and it sells better in the winter...the summer, well understandably slow :-) The thing that strikes me is that y ou said you really love doing it. To me, that says, keep on keeping on! Don't give up something that you love. Perhaps you could find some new avenuses for selling. Do you know of www.etsy.com, I sell there as "Effulgent Crafts" and I do ok, better in the holiday season. I know someone mentioed a jewelry party, which is also a great idea. To help you with supplies, I often salvage beads from jewelry I find at thrift stores. I may not like the whole necklace, but there are a few beads that could make great earrings. If you love it, stay with it...you'll find your niche market :-)

As you have mentioned it is a hobby. Also a home business really needs time to take off. Also if you don't network and get your wares exposure you will have a hard time trying to sell them. I can show you free website and networking sites to showcase yourself if you are serious. Other than that keep it as a hobby and see where life goes. Good luck with this.

I wouldn't give up just yet! Have you tried selling it on places like Etsy and Livejournal? These places have been really good for me when I'm selling stuff I make, and it is good for getting commissions too when people don't see anything they like. Ebay might be another place to try, if you think its worth the listing fees. I think your stuff is pretty (I've seen it on the Lush Forum,) you just need to capture your audience. x

yup, I'd encourage you not to sell your tools cos it'd mean you won't be able to make any more jewellery at all! I've always wanted to pick up jewellery making cos I figured the cost of the beads and hooks are much less than what the shops are selling the finished product for. and I have such a weakness for pretty dangling earrings! strive on! all the best and I hope you get some sales soon dear!

I think it's very therapeutic to have a hobby. Where have you been selling your jewelry? Ever tried ebay? If you love doing it, why not continue? Perhaps you'll get tired of it in time and move on to something else and then you can sell your supplies. Until that time comes, I'd still make the jewelry.

If it is something that you really enjoy and like to do, stick with it. If you want to make money from it, set up an inexpensive or free website or check local places that take things on consignment.

Yeahhh I am responding to you and this is my 500th post. WOOHOO. IF it's something you love to do- don't give it up. I thought a while ago about doing that with my candle business. I would have been heart broken and bored. Instead, what I did was stop making things unless they sold. I stopped buying things just because I thought it would be really cool to try as a candle. Have you tried selling your jewerly on ETSY or EBAY? May want to give them a try. I know Ebay is tough because lots of peopel want to pay flea market/garage sale prices for something that was handmade and took lots of time and heart to make. Have you thought about craft shows? Have you done them at all? I know a lot of jewerly makers make a killing at craft shows. ( or so they say). Good luck hun!

Hi there Please do not give up something you enjoy, as we all need enjoyment throughout life. You say that your jewellery isn't selling like it used to. I take this to mean that you have sold jewellery in the past? You do have a list of contacts who you sold to don't you? Contact all these people with flyers etc detailing your jewellery, how about a promotional coupon, money off, or a percentage discount? buy 2 get a discount etc? How about a tell a friend incentive? Follow up with personal telephone calls. Once word gets around you may be suprised what comes of it. Start to business network in your local area, contact local jewellery stores, gift shops etc, let them know of your product. How about the internet? an excellent place for business networking can be found here http://www.linkbrander.com/go/43806 I also feel you answered your own question in this post, your jewellery isn't selling because you haven't had the time to sell it. Have you considered income for free? This link may help http://www.marketingpond.com/ref.cgi/7267/ This would get you an income on autopilot, the money you earned from this could then be offset against your normal job and you could reduce your hours in your full time job. I heard a saying once that said a lot of people are not rich because they are too lazy to get rich. It does take hard work and commitment to make things work, but if you believe in it and want it badly enough it will work for you. One last thing, I had a friend who was an struggling artist, actually he wasn't a struggling artist, he was very good, just struggling to make any money. He reviewed his prices and increased them by a hell of a lot, i'm talking £100 paintings increased to £1500 All of a sudden, people started to take notice of his paintings, and he started selling them. They became unaffordable to the majority, thus making them quite exclusive and much more desireable and highly sought after. My advice to you would be to look at your pricing. Martin